EPILOGUE

4 Weeks Later

Piper sat in the crowded nursery burping baby Chris, Wyatt playing in the middle of the floor with some building blocks. Chris walked passed the door, smiling as he looked in.

"Hey mom." he said, smiling at her then at Wyatt, crouching down beside him he ruffled his hair. "Hey buddy."

Wyatt smiled up at him, turning to look at Piper before returning to his blocks.

"So your all ready?" she asked softly.

Chris nodded slowly as he stood, wringing his hands nervously.

"It'll be okay Chris, no alternate realities this time. We're going to get you home, nice and safe, with a kind and gentle brother." she said as she looked down at Wyatt.

"I know." he said following her gaze. "It's just weird. I know I can't stay here, and I do want to go back but, it feels weird. Like I shouldn't really be here or there."

Piper stood and gently laid baby Chris in his bassinet, taking adult Chris' hand in hers as she led him to the door. Reaching up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead.

"Sounds like someone's having reservations." she joked softly.

Chris stifled a laugh and looked down the hall hearing voices. "Sound's like they're here."

"Hey there," Phoebe called out cheerfully, giving Piper a hug and tousling Chris' hair. Piper reached up and straightened it again.

"Phoebe." she scolded. "So are we ready?" she asked trying to sound brave.

Wyatt stood up and toddled over, pulling at Chris' pants leg, raising his arms to be picked up. Chris laughed as he bent down, scooping him into his arms. Pressing the tip of his finger to the youngsters nose.

"Beep." he chuckled. "So your going to be a good boy then?" he asked as he walked up to the attic.

"Of course he is." Paige responded for him.

As they entered the attic they saw a large triquetra on the wall, Leo standing back with a piece of jumbo chalk in hand.

"Hey." he said turning around to greet them. "I think we're ready here."

Chris nodded handing Wyatt to his father, turning slowly to face his aunts and mother. Starting with Paige he hugged her, then Phoebe, hesitating as he got to Piper. Stepping forward she took both his hands and walked with him towards where the portal would be opened.

"You know how proud we are of you?" she asked, Leo coming up behind her placing his hand on her shoulder, Wyatt propped on one hip. Chris nodded.

"Good," Leo said. Pulling him in to hug him, Wyatt wrapping one of his tiny arms around Chris' head. "Oh, look he doesn't want you to go either."

Chris didn't say anything the sad, anxious look on his face saying more than word could. Again he looked down at Piper as she stepped forward taking him into her arms.

"I'm going to miss you, so much." she whispered in his ear. Chris closed his eyes and held her tight, but not too tight. "I love you, don't forget that."

"I love you to mom," he whispered back, letting go of her he ran a hand through his hair, breathing deeply. "So I should get going."

"Oh, can't you stay." Paige said grinning from ear to ear.

"Okay I'm ready." he said wiping his nose on the back of his hand. Turning so he was in the direction of the portal.

"From where you came, now return

Take this boy and send him home."

The three woman chanted, the triquetra lighting up and swelling slightly. Glancing over his shoulder he took one look over his shoulder, raising one hand to wave goodbye as he slowly walked into an uncertain future.